Margarito in great shape, a threat to Pacman–Arum

MANILA—Take it from venerable promoter Bob Arum.

Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito is in the best shape of his career and should pose a grave threat topound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13.

Arum, who arrived in Manila Saturday morning from Las Vegas with his stepdaughter Dena DuBoef, told the Inquirer that Margarito is not going to waste the opportunity to redeem himself after his suspension and a long layoff.

 “Look, if you were Margarito and you were suspended from boxing for a relatively long time and  now you get the opportunity to be on this world stage, you are going to kill yourself to prepare,” Arum said.

The 78-year-old Arum, chief honcho of Top Rank which promotes both Margarito and Pacquiao, said Margarito “is in the best shape that I’ve ever seen and would be a big danger to any welterweight in the world.”

The boxing Hall-of-Famer noted, however, that “Pacquiao is something special and no matter how big they are Manny can handle them.” 

Told that Pacquiao had  stepped up his training in Baguio City, Arum replied: “Well he better step up his training because this guy (Margarito) poses some very, very unique dangers.”

Arum said Margarito “is big, is strong and will push Manny into the ropes and the corners and Manny has to be able to utilize that incredible speed that he has together with his ability to punch with both hands.”

Arum added that he won’t talk to Pacquiao about how good Margarito has looked in training “because there are seven different people talking to Manny giving him words of caution.” 

Arum and Dena were joined by Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee, friends Jake Joson and Miles Roces, and nine others when they flew to Baguio aboard the plane of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson.   

Pacquiao sparred for a total of nine rounds against Glen Tapia and Michael Medina yesterday afternoon.

Though Roach told the Inquirer that Pacquiao’s “getting better every day” the four-time Trainer of the Year said his prized ward was better (on Friday).

Meanwhile, Team Pacquiao will wait for Typhoon Juan’s landfall before making a move.

“We are dealing with it when it gets here,” said Roach, adding that Pacquiao will not get a Sunday break and continue his training today. With a report from Frank Cimatu, Inquirer Northern Luzon